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Using Mobile Applications to Increase Physical Activity: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Pradal-Cano

    (Information Systems, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Carolina Lozano-Ruiz

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • José Juan Pereyra-Rodríguez

    (UGC Dermatology, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Francesc Saigí-Rubió

    (Interdisciplinary Research Group on ICTs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Anna Bach-Faig

    (FoodLab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    Food and Nutrition Area, Barcelona Official College of Pharmacists, 08009 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Laura Esquius

    (FoodLab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • F. Xavier Medina

    (FoodLab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences, Universitat Ramon Llull, Blanquerna, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Alicia Aguilar-Martínez

    (FoodLab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity—major risk factors for the main non-communicable diseases—can be addressed by mobile health applications. Using an evidence-based systematic review design, we analysed studies on mobile applications to foster physical activity to determine whether they met the objective of increasing adults’ physical activity. A bibliographic search was conducted in October 2020 using PubMed, Cochrane Library Plus, Biomed Central, Psychology Database, and SpringerLink, retrieving 191 articles. After titles and abstracts were reviewed, 149 articles were excluded, leaving 42 articles for a full-text review, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. Despite differences in study duration, design, and variables, 13 of the 14 studies reported that applications were effective in increasing physical activity and healthy habits as dietary behaviour. However, further longer-term studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the effectiveness of mobile health applications in increasing physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Pradal-Cano & Carolina Lozano-Ruiz & José Juan Pereyra-Rodríguez & Francesc Saigí-Rubió & Anna Bach-Faig & Laura Esquius & F. Xavier Medina & Alicia Aguilar-Martínez, 2020. "Using Mobile Applications to Increase Physical Activity: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8238-:d:441566
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Meng Zhang & Wei Wang & Mingye Li & Haomin Sheng & Yifei Zhai, 2022. "Efficacy of Mobile Health Applications to Improve Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Physically Inactive Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Giulia Di Martino & Carlo della Valle & Marco Centorbi & Andrea Buonsenso & Giovanni Fiorilli & Giuseppe Calcagno & Enzo Iuliano & Alessandra di Cagno, 2024. "Enhancing Behavioural Changes: A Narrative Review on the Effectiveness of a Multifactorial APP-Based Intervention Integrating Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Daniël Bossen & Monique Bak & Katja Braam & Manon Wentink & Jasmijn Holla & Bart Visser & Joan Dallinga, 2022. "Online and Offline Behavior Change Techniques to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, January.

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